Invisible Keepsakes

Monday, October 1, 2007

There's peace in dreams, and terror too-Sometimes the ghosts will speakSometimes they come for companySometimes for words unsaidSometimes to warn the livingSometimes to mourn the deadThey come to tell their tales trueAnd find the dreams they seek

I spread my tracers carefully-There's five per magazineMy enemy is no giantNo modern day Goliath-He's just an ordinary manBut still I guard them carefullyMy five well-chosen stonesTo kill a man like you and me

Once, in my youth, I dreamedStrange things and stranger placeThe inky void above that seemedTo dare my mind to raceTo twist the tails of ice and fireAnd ride the wind to spaceI did not lack then for desireTo see the warring ceaseBut it took fighting in the mireTo grant those dreams their leaseIn my youth I dreamed of younger thingsBut now, I dream of peace.

The tunnel sharp descends to light-Charon's gloomy calm abatesBring the boat, boys! There's work tonight!A load or two from a firefight!War-slain, ho! Your ship awaits!Just a copper, if you please-For passage 'cross these dire straitsTo bear you to the final gatesCharon's laughter turns to pleas-It's not so bad in Hell, you know;I'd gladly trade and take my easeAnd leave others to ply the seas.